Roch, what is going on with Jamie Walker? All of a sudden he is getting hit hard this year. Seems like he can't get anyone out. Chad Bradford isn't much better. As for Jim Johnson, I'd keep him in the same role. Trembley has stated that he might go with a 4 man rotation so for the time being keep him where he is. Remember back in the 70's the O's had Sammy Stewart who was a starter and he flourished in middle relief with an occassional spot start.
To me, I don't care how they wear their hats as long as the team wins.
Why can't they play Huff at 1B at times since he is hitting much better than Millar and Scott. They should play Payton more in LF and let Millar and Scott platoon at DH until one emerges from their slump. Adam Jones isn't doing much better either. so there are so many different scenarios they can go thru.
By the way I think Richie Sexson is a big baby for charging the mound after a pitch never even came close to hitting him. The pitch was high and over the plate and was never anywhere close to him.

Walker goes Sherrill stays , get rid of the deadwood,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sherrill is a keeper , next year when Ray returns our bullpen should be solid,,,,,,,,remember it is not about this year at all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Great post Roch , Huff should bring in a good prospect or two , hopefully some who can hit,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Good tonic for a 6 game losing streak is the small market AL Central Royals. I'm glad to see Trax bounce back as he knows how to pitch, he just needed to get on track. Surprised fans like Jennifer think he's so awful.
Millah is killing us, Roberts is in a funk and Luke has cooled-off big time. We need to infuse some more youth a la Bynum though B Rob needs to play through this to be traded.
I still think Bonds for 1 year is a sound strategic addition, both with his batting eye and HR pop in Camden AND his ability to fill the Yard.

Like others, I'm intrigued by the idea of inserting hot-hitting AAA superstar Luis Terrero into the line-up but where would you put him? Certainly not in right, and probably not in center or left (despite the slumps of Jones & Scott)...that would make him the 4th or 5th OF, which means he would probably sit. I wouldn't call him up unless he is going to play everyday.

I think that Albers has the inside track over Johnson, but it's nice having both as options if needed.

Not to nitpick, but Cormier gave up the walkoff homerun.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for catching my mistake. I fixed it. These games tend to run together, especially when you're not on the trip. - Roch

Roch-O,

You still seem unable to grasp the whole rebuilding thing. We are playing well & while there is an outside shot that we can finish .500, its still only .500. Mr McPhail has a plan in place for us to contend that we must abide by. If Sherrill can bring in top notch prospects, we have to make the move. I love the guy, but you have to look at the big picture. Same goes for BRob, Huff, Millar, Walker, Bradford, Trax, Scott, Mora and Hernandez.

Lets not give Angelos any more reason to scrap the PLAN. We are playing .500 baseball people. You have to think long term.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A quality late-inning lefty, closer or set-up, is essential and should fit in a team's rebuilding plans. Of course, if someone wants to surrender a couple of top prospects, that's a different story, but Sherrill is exactly the guy they've been trying unsuccessfully to find for years. Even rebuilding teams need to hold onto ninth-inning leads. And as I wrote, he could become next year's Jamie Walker. It's definitely an interesting topic. - Roch

Hey rock speaking of jamie walker , if we check back in a month or so he will have allowed 20 inherited runners to score. He is up to 10 right now , he is terrible and hasn't done is job at all. Like you said lefthanders are batting 355 against him and when your job is to come in to get one batter out and you can't do that then you stink. I know he is making 4,000, 00 this year and next but at some point you have to bite the bullet and do the same thing that they did with Gibbon's. Why doesn't anybody talk about him why does he seem to get a free pass. Luis lost his job, steve T if not pitching fairly well last night would be off the team today, i hear fans screaming to get rid of millar and mora why doesn't anybody talk about the pitful and i mean pitful job that jamie walker is doing.

the problem, and it's a good one, is that the better they play the more tempted you are to change the plan. With a few exceptions everybody but pitchers can be traded if what is offered fits the plan. And in the near future we may be trading pitching.

Peter Angelos
Peter Angelos has become the anti-hero in Baltimore. I would like to what may be an unpopular position and express appreciation for Mr. Angelos.
I live in New Jersey now, but Baltimore will always be my "home town." Also, I will always love the Orioles and Colts and Bullets and Clippers. They will always be my 'home team."
I was born at the beginning of the 50's and grew up in Baltimore in a time of extreme insecurity about our town and I suspect about ourselves. When we got the Orioles it was a step in becoming a "major league town." So much of my identity became tied to our sports teams, and I loved baseball and the Orioles. What a thrill it was to become a .500 team at the end of the 50's, and then to actually compete in 1960. We suffered through several years until the trade, and Frank Rob completed the process of becoming a champion in 1966. But with that came the difficulty in living up to being a champion. People didn't always say very nice things about Baltimore when they came for the World Series. And our attendance, always better than D.C., didn't live up to champion status. And we always lived in the extremes, Colt fans becoming arrogant and the NFL owes us, so we felt liberty to shout to the owner that he sucks, daring him to leave. But Oriole fans always lived in fear that attendance would justify the team leaving, so we suffered in silent fear until those fears seemed justified when an out of town owner bought the team, and we felt that eventually they would move. But surprise, the owner came to appreciate the Oriole fans and could not take them away. Peter Angelos bought the team, and gave us what we always craved to return to, a local owner. And he gave the team financial security. But he hadn't learned how to be a winning owner, and attendance dropped again.
George Steinbrenner didn't start out as a winning owner either, but learned how to be one. Now that Mr Angelos has secured the Orioles financial position, he just might be growing into learning to be a winning owner. He has given Baltimore some of the things it craves, local ownership and financial security. Give him chance now to give us a winning team.
Appreciate him. Encourage him and give him your support.
Joe K

I think JJ should stay where he is right now, all things considered. Of course, as the landscape changes, so does the plan. Maybe if a few guys go down (or suddenly become ineffective) or if the team is in a stretch of games with no off-days, then it becomes something to consider. But right now,with our starters holding their own, he's doing too good of a job to warrant changing his role.
Isn't it funny how some of these pitcher whose heads everyone was calling for last year are suddenly the flavor of the month? Nobody has any patience anymore. I've heard enough players say the difference between Triple A and the bigs is incredible to believe it. These kids need time to figure it out. Living up here in north Jersey, I've been seeing first-hand what the Yankee rooks are going through and how impatient their fans are on the talk-radio shows. There is no guarantee that they'll all pan out, but they all need the time before they're judged.

...But I must admit, it's great to see all these Yankee fans get their shorts in a bunch because their manifest destiny of making the playoffs might be in jeopardy...

Trading Sherrill isn't a bad idea later this season. The Orioles lineup next year could be very different next year minus Millar, Huff, Hernandez, and possibly Mora and Roberts not to mention the juggling at shortstop. This team isn't going to be ready to win next year, why have a closer on a rebuilding team when you may have a lot of holes in your lineup to fill.

I had always hoped that Julio Franco would be a Major Leaguer until he turned 50. It's the end of an era for me because he was the only remaining Major Leaguer who is older than I am.

Jamie Walker has been successful for a lot of years. I'm confident that he will bounce back, and I wouldn't be upset if the Orioles game him until the All-Star break to prove it.

I think Steve Trachsel saved his job with his outing last night. He's going to have to do it again during his next turn. If he's bombed one more time, I'm not sure he can even stay in the bullpen. I think Albers has earned the chance to be next in line.

It's great to see Cabrera turning a corner. Hats off to both him and Rick Kranitz for pushing the right buttons. But I wince when I read about putting him on the trading block. I think he still has enormous potential. I also wince when I read suggestions about signing Barry Bonds. What team would possibly want to invite that sideshow into town?

Dealing Aubrey Huff would be another significant step in the rebuilding plan.

Bob, you would make one tough boss, man. "Fire everyone!" Even though you asked someone named "Rock", I'll tell you why Jamie Walker hasn't been mentioned as much (when discussing O's who are playing poorly). Its because he's a great guy with a very good track record on the mound. And its only May 10th! With his heart and veteran savvy, I'm sure all involved expect he will turn it around and soon. Maybe if you send him some positive vibes he will pitch more like you want him to. He just needs to find his location (DOWN).

Wild card? You've completely lost it, Roch. Totally, totally nuts.

We need Huff so we can secure the division title.

I seriously doubt Sherrill will/ would be traded, that's just the blather I hear from other teams' color commentators. Because we watch the O's on Extra Innings, we get feeds from other cities. They believe the "Orioles are rebuilding" so they will trade Bradford, Sherrill, Roberts.

What I find really irritating is the NY color said "let the fans dream, the O's will be grounded soon" while Boston remarked "it's a matter of time until the O's hit bottom [like in 05]". Well, perhaps Boston should be more concerned Papelbon blew 2 saves in a row.

I am hoping the O's play their best ball next week against Boston and take both games. Just shut'em up.

Yep, noticed the cap bills right off. Maybe that should become a new fad in B-more?

I think Johnsomn decerves a shot in the rotation. Traschel is shot; any team besides KC would have scored more runs last night. Many of his outs are hard hit. He has so little room for error. I like everything I see about JJ.

Roch - Recently you've been interjecting within the reader comments a little more frequently. I'm diggin' it! It's nice to get your feedback on some of these topics. And by the way, great DCab post the other day

Fear the Gun, The Greek Gun, Markakis!

NO!!!!WE DO NOT NEED OR WANT
BONDS TO FILL CAMDEN YARDS.
BETTER THAT THE O'S FAITHFUL
STICK WITH THEIR HOME TEAM GUYS. FANS THAT WOULD COME TO SEE BBROIDS, ARE NOT FANS OF THE GAME.

It's a one time thing Roch.... Steve new his @$$ was on the line and pitched the best he could. But just wait until his next shot comes around.... I'm going with 3 innings pitched 4 earned runs. I guess we will see. Thankfully I changed the channel and didn't throw my remote at the wall, something I have done before!

I caught the last inning with George Sherrill and I must admit I was a tad nervous but I did catch the hats. Very funny!!!!

From what I've read in the paper this morning... I think Jamie Walker is slowly pitching himself off this team. The only good time to bring him in is when we have a ten run lead and we need one out, because thats all we can get from him.

As far as trading Sherrill, probably the stupidest move the O's could make. Chris Ray is really not that reliable. I say keep Sherrill, send Walker packing and use Ray somewhere in relief. Sherrill is flipping awesome, why trade him?

"I also see you didn’t land any solid punches, which proves that you can swing-and-miss on the mound, too."

Oh and also roch thank you for the above quote. Had me laughing hard this morning!!!!

Roch,

I like more frequent updates but I really like when you respond to the comments. So many good questions are brought up, that we are all wanting an update on!

Johnson needs to stay a reliever for this season. His early pitching could be a hot streak.
Next spring training, they should allow him to compete for a rotation spot...but right now, looking at Albers, it seems he's a more viable rotation candidate.

Roch,

I see (thankfully) that you have not fallen victim to the hysteria about trading Cabrera (or anyone else).

On a rebuilding team NO ONE is (or should be) untouchable. If some one makes the right offer (one that fills AT LEAST two holes) you take it. Andy Mac Phail has shown me (if not others) that he will get fair value….or more.

I would prefer to hold on to Roberts and Sherrill (I think it would be foolish to turn down a SOLID offer for Cabrera); however, IF they can get us many building blocks, make the deal.

Do you agree?

Hey Roch, I'm in the minority that believes we need to keep Sherrill. Walker needs to either get better or be gone. Will be a great problem to have if Ray comes back healthy and strong by next year too.

Did you see Mazzone rip the O's in his latest comment of: “At the time it was a great move, but now I regret it. You see the difference in organizations and how things are run and, believe me, the Atlanta Braves are about as good as it gets,” Mazzone said.

I do have to agree with him to some degree as the Angelos way was never the right way or even the Oriole Way of winning.

I agree with you, Roch...I would have to be blown away with an offer to trade Sherrill anytime this year. Keep in mind that we have no idea how Chris Ray will come back from his surgery, and he wasn't exactly lights out before it (4.43 ERA, 16 of 20 saves). I'd be inclined to keep both Ray and Sherrill...it would seem a much better bet to have two relievers with closer experience (Tim Stoddard/Tippy Martinez, anyone?) than to find out that Ray may have lost a bit from the injury.

Johnson should not have been charged with a run last night if his defense hadn't failed him. Mora botched a double play grounder and Roberts let a ball get through him.

There's no great value to having Jim Johnson in the long relief role and Trax in the rotation...sooner or later, you've gotta find out if Johnson can go deep into games. If not, he looks like he could be a dominant reliever, the 7th or 8th inning guy that, along with Sarfate, might allow Trembley to stop over-managing with his matchup guys.

Remember, only bad teams need to have talented long relievers. Good teams don't need to use them very often! These guys are going to be good again, one of these days.

AS for Sherrill...he's been a good presence, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. He's got an ERA over 4, and peripherals to match. As with any trade, it depends on what we're offered. How long is he under contract for, anyway?

It's great to see Bynum do well, it seems like every time he got an opportunity in the past, he'd immediately get hurt. I think he's a credible major league hitter, and look forward to seeing if he can stick as an every day SS.

Wieters looks great. Tripp is putting up big numbers, but oh those strikeouts don't bode well for his upside. Rowell looks to be heating up (.345 in May, but still no homers) and we have to remember he's only 19 years old. Up in AA, Reimold is heating up (.920 OPS in May) and needs to make a splash...he's 24 already.

Terrero and Salazar are doing great, but neither one is a prospect...they could easily replace Mora and Payton, if the big club could deal those contracts....

All but the best relief pitchers tend to be up and down from season to season. That's why it's foolish to anoint any of them as long term solutions. Also, Sherrill is a flyball pitcher who pitches to contact. Not what you want in a closer.

In June and July, when the ball starts to carry, I think that he may not look quite as attractive as a long term solution.

Hope I'm wrong, though.

I thinkTrachsel was very fortunate that he was pitching at Kauffman Stadium and against a weak Royals offense. His fastball was typically around 80 mph and he was getting stikes with his breaking pitches.

I think Sherrill is better than Ray velocity wise, attitude, composure, maturity, etc; however, I'd trade him if the O's are not in the playoff hunt and make a desparate team overpay for him with their top postional and pitiching 3A/2A prospect(s)

Roch: Aubrey Huff, the most marketable Oriole? Over Sherrill and Roberts? You should chat with front-office people from other teams some time.

Amen to keeping Sherrill! You deal from strength to solidify a weakness. You don't create holes in closing other ones.

We'll have Ray back and all will be well in the 9th, right? Why?

He'll be better than before his major injury? Like Loewen? He was terrible last season and honestly pretty mediocre in the prior season. He has neither the poise nor the acumen of Sherrill who I watched rip through the A.L. last season and was baffled why the Mariners would include him. Play it out. He's a young 30.

Why is everyone giving Scott a free pass? He has been abysmal lately. Swinging at absolute garbage every at bat. Any explanation by the coaches, besides "he's pressing" (the dumbest non-answer that we love to throw out there)?

Who would replace Walker for those of you who want to cut him? Bring back Aquino? Ouch.

What would a return on Huff look like? Do you really think we could get a legit prospect or would we just like someone to take the salary?

Wow, that a lot of questions. Sorry.

You trade Sherill because you have to give up something to get something. Closers aren't that hard to find. The same reason you listen for offers for DCab it's called selling high.If the Os are going to compete they need to add another 1.5 runs to the offense and Tex isn't the answer.

If and when Ray comes back he should be the setup guy for Sherrill.

Sherrill is older and has the right mental make up to be a closer. Let Ray learn from him. Many of the great closers, Gossage, Rivera and so on started this way and Chris Ray hasn't really proved anything yet whereas Sherrill has shown a lot of ice in his veins.

Hey almost believen this game isn't about being nice guys. He gets paid a great salary to do a job and while i admire the way he has settled in to this town and the way he treats the veterans of our nation to ballgames out of his own money the facts say that he can't do his job anymore.Once again when somebody writes something that is considered to be negative the person reading there posts has a selective reading problem and only reads what he things that posting say's. Tell me Sir who else did i say should be fired or let go in my posting . I will tell you nobody. Millar is a nice guy,as are many other ball players that are on our team, but that isn't what they get paid for they get paid to perform and in Jamie Walker's case that is to get 1 lefthanded batter out which he can't do. I hope you all watch the same game as i do and read the same stats because what i am saying is right there in black and white. 355 average against lefthanded batters. 10 inherited runners scored after he comes in to pitch , last week in made a couple of mental errors in the covering the base. So please ALMOST BELIEVEN tell me why i would be a tough boss. Just do the job you get paid to do or else get replaced like everybody else sooner or later.

Johnson should stay in the pen, I think Albers is a better fit in the rotation... I know Trachsel pitched ok last night, but they need to stop holding Albers back and give him a couple more starts...

I hope the wild card comment was sarcasm. Trembley has the team playing hard and playing good baseball, but come on. If teams offer a significant amount of talent for Daniel Cabrera, Brian Roberts, or George Sherrill THAT WOULD MAKE THE TEAM BETTER, then deal them and bring in more young talent to build for the future. There is no purpose in trading anyone just for the purpose of trading them. No matter what anyone on this blog says, there is still A LONG WAY TO GO in the rebuilding process. The Luis Terrero's and Alex Cintrons are here to add depth, but that's it. They aren't difference makers.

TomC in Frederick ---- I agree with you completely re: L Hernandez being exposed to waivers----go ahead and expose him and see what happens ----
DK --- also agree with you re: Chris Ray----there is no guarantee that he will be "lights out" when he returns---let's keep all our options open.............

Steve really saved his butt with that last outing. Next time, he better hurl a 1-hitter to solidify his spot. That was some sarcasm, if you didn't know.

If he leaves, I'll put Johnson in the rotation, because Albers didn't do so well when he was handed the starting spot. But, I digress, because our starters have done "alright", short of throwing a complete game. Way to go, Daniel!

As for Sherrill, I'm definitely keeping him, and going with him for the closer, and have Ray as our set-up next year, and let go Walker. Baez too if we can even put him down in Triple A. I might trade Huff, but if he's swinging that hot bat by the deadline, no reason to trade him because we can use that bat to carry us throughout the second half.

Bynum has definitely been the spark we've been looking for because B-Rob has been scuffling, and I really hope he can try to at least get two hits tonight so he can feel better, and get back to his old self.

LET'S GO O's!

English Major Bob----the most common "selective reading problem"within this blog belongs to all of us as we try to figure out what you are saying. Even when your point is correct it is so poorly worded and presented it is difficult to understand. I think that I basically agree with your feelings about Jamie Walker so I will see if I can state it a little more clearly for everyone's benefit. THE LAST TIME JAMIE BROUGHT HIS TRUCK TO THE CAR WASH HE FORGOT TO TIP YOU FOR WHAT YOU CONSIDERED A JOB WELL DONE. Tell me do your hands and feet get cold in the winter.

Roch-i have not heard your opinion about the O's chances with Texiera this winter .
i see some of us lobby for and some who dont like the idea . My opinion is that Texiera reminds me of Ken Griffey Jr . Lets go back to 2000 in Seattle , where Griffey was in his walk year , Seattle couldnt lock him up with multi year contrat . So naturally , Seattle tried to shop him around to highest bidder . The problem? Griffey happen to have 'no trade' clause in his contract . Griffey refused to budge unless Seattle trade him to Cinncinati [ of all places ] . What was not mentioned enough was that Cinncinati was his HOMETOWN . Griffey could chosen anywhere in Baseball and he picks Cinncinati????? Ever since , Griffey plays in his Cinncinati , even though his beloved Reds are bottomfeeders [ just like O's ] but Griffey doesnt mind , never asked to be traded . So the question is .....does Texiera feel the same way about his hometown Baltimore ?

To be contiuned this Winter

The Mets are crying for a leftie out of the bullpen, so much so that they're trying to get Steve Cline started in the minors (he's got an era of about 8.00). Walker would be a good fit in exchange for a bat.
Anybody notice that the BJays have brought up Armando Benitez? Wassamatter was Chuck McElroy busy?

JoeK , what are you smoking ?

Two quick points: Hanley Ramirez just got a deal Markakis should be getting. The O's have the right to wait on a deal, but I'm still not sure it is wise. Teams are showing love to their cornerstones. It's time.

Next point: is anyone getting a little nervous that half of a bat is going to impale a pitcher or third baseman sometime soon. Seriously, I say someone at least gets a nasty laceration requiring stitches by the AS break. The announcers keep applauding the infielders for their focus, but if someone hurls a javelin at me while a ball is hit to me, I may live to field another grounder.

Good luck birds-- give Roch his 3/4!

Roch, you wonder why they would trade Sherrill when he's a more dependable closer than Chris Ray? Because he's five years older than Ray and we can add prospects by sending Sherrill to a contender. It's really that simple. We don't have the prospect depth yet and we need to trade 30 something players with value to get 20 something prospects.

To answer your question, I think that Albers should make his way into the rotation as opposed to Johnson. Johnson has been lights out in the pen, and I don't want to mess with that success.

I've always liked having a very effective sinker ball pitcher in your rotation. You aren't going to get a ton of K's, but it works. Albers has the stuff to be a pretty solid starter; and with Mora, Roberts, and Millar all playing stellar defense (and so far Bynum), I think a ground ball pitcher is an anwer. Beats the hell out of the 7 bombs Trax has given up.

There is no spot open in the starting rotation !!!!! What are you going to do with Loewen in a couple weeks when he is ready to start again ??? Do you even think before you ask these questions, or are you testing us ? That will be six starters in the rotation !!! You certainly aren't going to remove Olson are you ? The next question you should ask is who do you remove from the 6 man rotation ???? Not Trashel, if he shapes up in his next 2 starts. I wonder who ??? It's a good problem we have!!!!

Bob,

Again, its only May 10th, Walker will most likely turn things around. Since, as you say, he only pitches to one batter, it should be pretty easy to protect him while he works out of his slump. Baseball is a game of highs and lows. Both pitchers and hitters get in slumps. Any sane baseball person knows these things. If he does get to 20 inherited scored within the next month, you can have a firing party. Why do you focus on the nice guy stuff? I hardly mentioned it and that's not as important as his history. You are right, you wouldn't be a tough boss. Maybe a few unprintable adjectives would be more appropriate, but this is Roch's family blog. Sorry I mentioned it tough guy.

I am better than all of you people.

Lefty, that was damn funny man. Don't expect your car to be very clean next time, however.